Nisqually Indian Tribe, Nisqually Land Trust, South Puget Sound Salmon
Enhancement Group and other volunteers.

The Ohop Valley was transformed from its natural state by early-settling Swedish-immigrant farmers who turned Ohop
Creek into a straight-flowing ditch to drain
the land and create pasture areas for cattle. The straightened channel has
negatively affected fish, animal, and plant health in the Ohop Valley area.
Plant communities had little diversity and were composed mostly of Meadow
Foxtail and Reed Canary grass, which provided little food and habitat function
to support desired animal species. Lack of natural meanders and side channels
has negatively affected salmon production from the Creek, which is an area
identified by the Nisqually Indian Tribe as a priority restoration area of
concern. The overall goal of the project is to restore the stream, floodplain,
and wetland communities through work with partners, landowners, and volunteer
groups.

The stretch of Creek in the background is restored; the
section in the foreground awaits funding.

The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) was used as a cost-share restoration
agreement on the Ohop Creek Restoration Project.

This project has been a combined effort by many partners to restore salmon
habitat in the Ohop Valley. Partners contributed their resources, technical and
design assistance, along with permitting and funding to help return this portion
of Ohop Creek into a functioning salmon stream. Channel reconstruction and
habitat enhancement is ongoing throughout Ohop Valley with four more miles of
meander work still waiting restoration.

NRCS headed the planting restoration portion of this project with WRP funds to
establish and improve over 80 acres of stream, flood plain, and wetland
habitat. To date, over 60,000 trees and shrubs have been installed throughout the
project area. Other enhancements included removal of old existing fences along
with the decommissioning and removal of an old manure lagoon. The Nisqually
Indian Tribe led stream meander and construction work. Currently there has been
nearly one mile of stream reconstruction work completed in the Ohop Valley.
Having collaborative partners actively engaged in the project helped make the
restoration a success. Monica Hoover, NRCS West Area Program Liaison, was the lead NRCS
planner during the planning
and initial implementation of this WRP agreement.